CINCINNATI - T.J. Houshmandzadeh was ready for interviews. The semicircle of cameras and reporters closed around. A Cincinnati Bengals employee turned down the locker room sound system a few notches as a courtesy.

That got Chad Johnson's attention.

"Hey, I want to listen to my music while I dress," Johnson said, trying his best to act put out. "T.J. can take his interview outside."

The two receivers dress side-by-side and have been friends since college, so the act was just that - a chance to needle. It also was unintentionally revealing.

In his seventh season, the receiver with the name that's a mouthful has become a handful to guard. He leads the NFL in catches and has already set a club record with 101. He made the Pro Bowl this week for the first time.

The seventh-round draft pick has become much more than Johnson's sidekick. A lot more than the locker room music revolves around him these days, even if he's reluctant to acknowledge it.

Dolphins receiver is anonymous no more

DAVIE, Fla. - In the interest of explaining why Miami Dolphins wide receiver Greg Camarillo was a largely anonymous player before last weekend, here's an update on his NFL career statistics.

He's made six tackles.

He's made four catches.

Not exactly a Canton-caliber resume.

"I wasn't aware of him," New England linebacker Junior Seau said. "But he did make a great play."

That's true, and after that one play - "scat left Ernie," the Dolphins call it - just about everyone who follows the NFL is probably somewhat aware of Camarillo.

He caught a short pass from Cleo Lemon and sprinted for a 64-yard winning touchdown in overtime last Sunday to give Miami (1-13) its first victory of the season, 22-16 over the Baltimore Ravens, a play that made Camarillo an instant legend in the Dolphins' locker room.

Hixon set to reunite with Everett on Sunday

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Domenik Hixon remembered it as one of the hardest hits he's ever received on a football field. Then he noticed the player who administered the blow lying on the ground, motionless.

"One of my teammates said, He's not getting up,'" Hixon recalled Thursday about his collision with Buffalo's Kevin Everett on Sept. 9 that initially left Everett paralyzed from the neck down. "I turned around and when they brought the ambulance out, I was hoping it was more precautionary than anything else."

Everett eventually regained the ability to walk, and the Bills have invited him to attend Sunday's home finale against the New York Giants, the team that picked up Hixon off waivers from Denver in October.

Plans were still incomplete Thursday, but Everett, who has been rehabilitating in Houston, told his teammates last month he hoped to attend the game.

Hixon said he looked forward to speaking to Everett about his recovery in what figures to be an emotional reunion for both men.

Seattle's Alexander says he'll return to elite form

KIRKLAND, Wash. - This would not appear to be the week for Shaun Alexander to get well.

Or get a milestone. And especially to declare that he is not washed up.

Big, bad Baltimore - that would be, the defensive half - is coming to Seattle ranked second-best in the league at stopping the run. Far less-formidable defenses have stonewalled Alexander this season, in which the NFL's MVP in 2005 has faded into irrelevance.

"We haven't really run the ball against anybody, so we can only go up," Alexander said while preparing with the NFC West champions (9-5) to host the Ravens (4-10) on Sunday.

Alexander has averaged 42 yards rushing per game in his last eight games while wearing a cast over his broken wrist. His current average of 3.3 yards per carry is the lowest of his career. Seattle's average of 3.6 yards per run is 30th in the league and the reason coach Mike Holmgren is concerned heading into the playoffs.

Yet Alexander, in the second season of an eight-year, $62 million contract with $15.1 million guaranteed signed a month after appearing in the Super Bowl at the end of the 05 season, says he'll return to elite form.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell turned down Jones' request for leniency Nov. 6. The NFL Players' Association appealed that ruling as excessive and had a hearing by telephone Dec. 14. But Jones must serve the final two games of his seasonlong suspension.

"Commissioner Goodell notified Adam Jones today that his suspension for the 2007 season will not be modified," the league said in a statement.

Jones' attorney, Manny Arora, did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone. The players' union did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press.

Briefly ...

 Rookie quarterback Troy Smith will make his first start Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Seattle Seahawks.

 The Bills have the right coach, will continue building through the draft rather than free agency, and don't be surprised if benched starter J.P. Losman is back for one more year in Buffalo. That's the assessment of team owner Ralph Wilson now that the Bills (7-7), with two games left, have been eliminated from playoff contention for an eighth straight season.